II. Indications
- See Central IV Access
- Alternative central Intravenous Access
- Internal Jugular Vein is not accessible
- Access during CPR
III. Contraindications
IV. Adverse Effects
- See Central IV Access
- Precautions
- Subclavian Line malposition into the internal Jugular Vein (may advance to CNS)
- Subclavian vein is a noncompressible site (Hemorrhage risk)
V. Preparation
- Anatomy
- Subclavian vein runs in parallel and well anterior to the subclavian artery
- Subclavian Vein courses between the clavicle and anterior first rib (and anterior scalene Muscle)
- Subclavian artery, is in contrast, posterior to the first rib and scalene Muscle
- Pleura is posterior to subclavian artery (and first rib, anterior scalene Muscle)
- Patient positioning
- Patient supine and flat on the gurney
- Trendelenburg position (10-15 degrees head down) to engorge subclavian vein
- Head in neutral position (without neck rotation)
- Slight neck rotation (15 degrees) toward needle entry side may prevent malposition into IJ vein
- Ipsilateral arm rests at patient's side
- Arm may be adjucted slightly in patients with large deltoid Muscles
VI. Technique: Landmark-Based Entry
- Right subclavian is preferred for supraclavicular subclavian access
- Lower pleural dome
- More direct route to superior vena cava (SVC)
- No Thoracic Duct on the right side
- Prepare and drape the supraclavicular fossa
- Needle entry site superior to clavicla
- Lateral by 1 cm to the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid Muscle (SCM)
- Deep to the clavicle by 1cm
- Entry is approximated by the junction of the clavicle's middle third and the medial third
- A finger placed in the crux between the clavicle and the SCM head will direct toward the contralateral nipple
- Anesthetize the entry site
- Lidocaine 1%
- Using a 3 cm needle for injection can also assist with localizing the subclavian vein
- Typical needle entry depth is 2-3 cm
- Needle direction
- Direct the needle just below (caudal to) the contralateral nipple
- Needle should divide in 2 the angle formed between the clavicle and the head of the SCM
- Needle at 45 degrees to the sagittal and Transverse Planes
- Needle at 10-15 degrees below the Coronal Plane (horizontal plane with the patient supine)
- Orient the needle bevel medially
- Remainder of technique is similar to other Central Lines
- See Central Line
- Use seldinger technique
VII. Efficacy
- Supraclavicular approach is safer and faster than Infraclavicular Subclavian Line approach
- Supraclavicular approach may also be Ultrasound guided
- Jaiswal (2024) Indian J Crit Care Med 28(4):375-80 +PMID: 38585307 [PubMed]
VIII. References
- McNeil, Rezaie, Adams (2014) Central Venous Catheterization, 6th ed, Roberts and Hedges Clinical Procedures, Elsevier, p. 413-4
- Patrick (2009) West J Emerg Med 10(2):110-4 +PMID: 19561831 [PubMed]